Lesson 8: Raised Beds And Container Gardening
Planting An Herb Garden
Herbs grown in pots are found in homes across the globe. Their fresh taste and appealing scents can enliven the most mundane recipe. Herbs like lavender, rosemary, thyme and chamomile are used in herbal sachets and potpourri.
Since most herbs do well in drier soil, clay pots are ideal for them. Large half barrels are wonderful containers for the culinary herbs, like sage, basil, oregano, parsley, tarragon and fennel.
Basil, an annual, can be found in both purple and green varieties. This herb is wonderful for fish, pasta sauces and sprinkling over salads or sliced tomatoes. Planting 3-4 types of this herb, along with parsley or cilantro and the woodier thymes, creates a lovely display of color and texture.
Depending on your placement of a barrel, you would place the tallest plants either in the back or middle of the planter. If it backs against a fence or porch, placing rosemary in the back, with medium plants in the middle, will give the arrangement a balanced look. For stand alone siting, the taller plants would be in the middle, ringed by plants of differing sizes.
Chamomile, with its ferny green foliage, pretty white flowers, and appley scent is lovely drifting over the sides of a pot. There are two types of chamomile, German and Roman. Roman is considered the better variety for teas and tisanes.
Lavender is a major component in many homemade potpourris and soaps. It is not fussy or demanding. From the sturdy little Munstead to the taller Spanish lavender, they offer a world of subtle and complex scents. The flowers range from pale lavender to dark purple, which are spectacular set against lighter foliage. They thrive happily in well drained, ordinary soil.
If you have never tried growing herbs before, plant a few pots and discover what a rich dimension they add to your home and kitchen.
Topic Of Discussion: Let’s share ideas about how to create beautiful gifts from the herbs in our gardens.
